CHICAGO - Chicago police, including a SWAT team, surrounded a gunman believed holding several hostages in a First Commercial Bank branch.

The attempted robbery was reported about 9:42 a.m. Acting Chicago Police Superintendent Dana Starks confirmed there was a hostage situation underway but didn't say whether any shots had been fired.

He said FBI agents were on the scene.

“We’re trying to establish contact right now with the offender in the bank,” said FBI Assistant Special-Agent-in-Charge William Monroe. “Right now it looks like one armed offender is in the bank.”

Witnesses said that at the start of the hostage drama at least six people ran out or were released from the bank building in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, WLS-TV, Chicago, said. No injuries were reported.

The Far North Side block at Morse and Clark was cordoned off by more than 20 police vehicles. Nearby schools were placed on lockdown.